International student reflects on American culture
Cougars Without Borders
September 29, 2015
CSUSM is a campus known for the substantial number of students who commute each day for classes, but some students have traveled across national borders to study at our campus. Christoffer Ekker, a sophomore, travelled 5,390 miles to attend CSUSM from Sandefjord, Norway.
As an international student, there are many obstacles Ekker faces each day that other students don’t encounter, such as language and cultural barriers. Despite the fact that he has already lived and studied here for a year and a half, Ekker still has trouble fitting in sometimes.
“Here, we can talk to random people on the street but back home people are more closed off. Small talk is difficult for me,” he said.
Ekker spoke about the most difficult obstacle he has to face on a daily basis.
“We do not have general education courses back home so I have to take those courses here and the age difference between me and other students is difficult because I am 23 and other students are 17, 18 years old. We talk about the weather.”
Ekker said one thing that has helped him to adjust better to the lifestyle in the U.S. is some of the various international and academic groups on campus that he is involved in, such as the Global Connections Club and the Global Supply Chain Management Society. As both Treasurer and Activities Coordinator of the Global Connections Club, he is able to interact with many people on different levels. He says that has been a huge help in becoming assimilated, making friends and practicing his English.
The Office of Global Education holds various mixers for international students on campus to help them make friends in similar situations, which Ekker has benefited from.
Ekker said that he volunteered with this office during his time at CSUSM.
“It helped me to become more open and comfortable when I had to answer phones, and talk to different people that I don’t know,” said Ekker.
“Americans are more open than the people back home so that was strange to adapt to. When I first moved here, I hung out with a lot of Norwegians because it was more comfortable for me, but then I realized that I didn’t pay all the money to hang around people from home. I came here to have a new experience and make connections.”
Ekker intends on staying in America for at least another 2 years and graduating from CSUSM. He said he is excited to get through college and start a career where he can travel between here and his home.
“It was hard to leave my home and friends in Norway at first, but I am realizing now that I have a new life here and a new home.”
Lance Johnson • Sep 30, 2015 at 10:14 am
Being an international student isn’t easy, given our complex culture and language. Assistance must come from numerous sources to aid these young people embarking on life’s journey. A new award-winning worldwide book/ebook that can aid anyone coming to the US is “What Foreigners Need To Know About America From A To Z: How to Understand Crazy American Culture, People, Government, Business, Language and More.” It is used in foreign Fulbright student programs and endorsed worldwide by ambassadors, educators, and editors. It also identifies “foreigners” who became successful in the US and how they contributed to our society, including students.
A chapter on education explains how to be accepted to an American university and cope with a confusing new culture, friendship process and daunting classroom differences. Some stay after graduation. It has chapters that explain how US businesses operate and how to get a job (which differs from most countries), a must for those who want to work with/for an American firm here or overseas.
It also has chapters that identify the most common English grammar and speech problems foreigners have and tips for easily overcoming them, the number one stumbling block they say they have to succeeding here.
Most struggle in their efforts and need guidance from schools’ international departments, immigration protection, host families, concerned neighbors and fellow students, and informative books like this to extend a cultural helping hand so we all have a win-win situation. Good luck to all wherever you study!